Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Recreational Marijuana Legalized, But Not Really

Tuesday saw several states vote on whether or not to legalize various levels of marijuana.

Colorado and Washington both voted to allow for the recreational use of the drug, while Oregon voted against it.

In Arkansas voters rejected allowing medical marijuana, whilst in Massachusetts they decided to legalize it, and in Montana they added restrictions to their current medical marijuana laws.

Despite the legalization in Colorado and Washington, a heavy fight is still ahead. The federal government still considers it illegal.

The Drug Enforcement Administration released a statement saying, "Enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act remains unchanged. In enacting the Controlled Substances Act, Congress determined that marijuana is a Schedule I control[ed] substance. The Department of Justice is reviewing the ballot initiatives and we have no additional comment at this time."

Now the drug becomes even more of a state's right issue. Because of that it may find new supporters, amongst those who voted against it.

There are many people who voted no on legalizing recreational use, who also will fight to keep it as they see the federal government as trying to interfere too much in state's rights.

For now, it may be listed as legal, but authorities will continue to carry out arrests for using the drug, until such time as the Supreme Court decides on the matter.

A decision which is nowhere near even being scheduled yet.

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